Information for parents of children with special educational needs

Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)

ACE is an independent registered charity, which offers information about state education in England and Wales for parents of school age children. It offers free telephone advice on many subjects like exclusion from school, bullying, special educational needs and school admission appeals.

Telephone: 0808 800 5793
www.ace-ed.org.uk

AFASIC - overcoming speech impairments

This is a parent-led organisation which helps children and young people with speech and language impairments and their parents.

Telephone: 0845 355 5577
www.afasic.org.uk

Alliance for Inclusive Education

This is a national network of individual families and groups who wish to bring about changes to the education system so that all young people are educated in a mainstream setting. The site provides materials and ideas for people interested in inclusive education.

Telephone: 020 7735 5277
www.info@allfie.org.uk

Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH)

This organisation provides information and advice about spina bifida and hydrocephalus to individuals, families and carers.

Telephone: 01733 555988
www.asbah.org.uk

Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service (ADDISS)

This service provides information and resources about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to anyone who needs assistance.

Telephone: 020 8906 9068
www.addiss.co.uk

British Dyslexia Association

This organisation aims to influence government and other institutions to promote a dyslexia friendly society.

Telephone: 0118 966 8271
www.bda-dyslexia.org.uk

Contact-a-family

This organisation provides advice, information and support to parents of disabled children.

Telephone: 020 7608 8700
www.cafamily.org.uk

Disability Equality in Education

This organisation provides training, consultancy and resources for schools, colleges and Local Education Authorities around the issue of inclusion for all students within the education system.

Telephone: 020 7359 2855
www.diseed.org.uk

Downs Syndrome Association

This organisation provides information and support to people with Down's Syndrome and to their families and carers.

Telephone: 0845 2300372
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk

Dyspraxia Foundation

This organisation helps people to understand and cope with dyspraxia. It is a resource for parents, for teenagers and adults who have the condition, and for professionals who help all of them.

Telephone: 01462 454986
www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk

I Can

This is a national organisation which helps children with speech and language difficulties. It provides a range of educational services for these children, from pre-school to school leaving age, in mainstream and specialist educational environments.

Telephone: 0845 225 4071
www.ican.org.uk

National Autistic Society (NAS)

The NAS offers impartial, confidential advice and information to people with autism and Aspergers Syndrome and to their families and carers. It has branches and affiliated local societies offering support and information on a local level.

Telephone: 0845 070 404
www.nas.org.uk

 Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)

The RNIB offers information, support and advice to people with a visual impairment.

Telephone: 0845 766 9999
www.rnib.org.uk

Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID)

The RNID offers a range of services for deaf and hearing impaired people, and provides information and support on all aspects of deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus. Their work involves campaigning and lobbying, providing services, training, products and equipment, and undertaking medical and technical research. We work throughout the UK .

Telephone: 0808 888 0123
www.rnid.org.uk

National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN)

This organisation promotes the education, training, advancement and development of all people with special and additional support needs.

Telephone: 01827 311500
www.nasen.org.uk

SCOPE

This organisation provides a range of services for people with cerebral palsy and their families.

Telephone: 0808 800 3333
www.scope.org.uk

National Children's Bureau (NCB)

This organisation promotes the voices, interests and well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. It provides information on policies, research and best practice.

Telephone: 020 7843 6000
www.ncb.org.uk

SEN and Disability Tribunal

Parents whose children have special educational needs can appeal to the Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunal against decisions made by Local Education Authorities (LEAs) in England and Wales about their children's education. The Tribunal is independent of both central and local government.

Telephone: 0870 241 2555
www.sendist.gov.uk